Splurge vs Save: Oversized Bags
Ever heard the phrase “Go big or go home?” As far as I’m concerned, that phrase is talking about handbags. Don’t get me wrong, a clutch can sometimes be the ultimate in style and function, but for the day to day, especially if you want the perfect mix of form and function, an oversized bag is the way to go!
Why buy?
Oversized bags are not only adorable, but also totally versatile. They’ll carry all of your stuff in a variety of situations, from campus to coffee house and work to dates. If you invest in a quality bag, it will last years! Big bags are also a great way to play with proportions and spice up an outfit. They definitely make an impression!
Still not sold? Use the size to your advantage. Another perk of a big bag is that they can make their wearer seem noticeably dainty in comparison.
Tips for Carrying and Buying an Oversized Bag
- Consider your height. The taller you are, the bigger the bag you’re going to be able to rock. Yes, it’s unfair if you’re shorter, but you don’t want a gigantic bag to dwarf you! No matter your height, for the most flattering look, your big bag should hit right in the middle of your waist. Higher and it will annoy you, lower and it can make your hips look bigger. Aim for the sweet spot–elbow length!
- Utilize your new-found space. The oversized bag’s number one advantage is its space! Use it, girls! Feel free to bring along your MP3 player, magazine, and gigantic sunglasses that don’t fit in any of your other purses–your big bag’s got you covered! You can also use it as an eco-friendly shopping bag. Another perk of oversized bags is that they often have many pockets and compartments for easy storage and access to your most needed possessions. Make sure not to over-stuff, though; carrying a heavy bag can lead to back and shoulder pain.
- Splurge on classics and neutrals, save on trends and flash. As always, if you’re looking for an investment piece, go for something classic. Leather (or faux leather if you’re an animal lover!) is always in style and looks great. If you can afford to splurge, there are designer bags with well-known silhouettes (think YSL’s Muse, Louis Vuitton’s Alma or Speedy, Hermés’ Birkin, or Balenciaga’s Motorcyle, ) and/or logos are always classic. Of course, if you’re looking for something trendy or flashy, there are tons of stores that sell great oversized bags in animal prints, with stud detailing, or in wild colors–whatever the trend of the moment is–on the cheap.
Get Your Own!
Splurge
Product Information: Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote, Piperlime. Gucci Logo Hobo, Farfetch.com. Marc by Marc Jacobs Aidan Leather Bowling Bag, net-a-porter.com. Fringe Babydoll Shoulder Bag, Juicy Couture.
Save
Product Information: Arconate Bag, aldoshoes.com. Big Buddha Raj Snakeskin-Look Tote, fredala.com. Mimi Cross-Body Messenger, delias.com. Lobster Hook Front Tote, Forever 21.
Your thoughts?
How do you feel about oversized bags? Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? Do you have any? And as always, is this a splurge or a save item for you?! I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know with your comments!
Posted on on November 15, 2009 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Accessories, Balenciaga, Big Bags, Handbags, Louis Vuitton, Oversized Bags, Purses, Splurge vs Save, YSL
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Selene Diaz
I love oversize bags. I’m considering on splurging for one that will last me a long time, i just haven’t had time to look around. Thanks for the tips, I will keep them in mind when I do decide to buy one :)
Maria
great post! i’m a little startled that not many people wear oversized bag since they’re very important to me. all my bags are oversized – clutches are for parties for me. you can just fit almost everything you need in there and i like to be prepared for everything so big bags are a must for me. this item is both splurge and save for me since i splurge for neutral colors but save for the flashier color. i don’t like prints though, i have a huge problem pairing prints so solid color is the best.
my fav item from your suggestion: the gucci logo hobbo, though i highly doubt i’ll buy that. :D
Norah
Oversize bags are a necessity for me. I’m a university student so I spend most of my day on campus walking between classes. I have a Billa Bong black faux leather oversized bag and it fits everything from my laptop and text books to my wallet and i-pod. The thing I love about my oversized bag (especially as a school bag) is that I can take it anywhere and fit right in. I can’t stand the classic back pack, especially when I have to go between classes then right out to the mall or out for a dinner date ect. They stand out, clash with majority of things I wear and generally make you feel like student on and off of campus (which is not always the most appealing thing).
In addition to a school bag it also makes a nice over night bag. So if you’re going to a party and need to crash the night at friend’s house. Instead of having a small purse and some sort of other bag, I can easily fit my hair brush, toothbrush, make-up, pjs and clothes for the next day all in my oversized bag and no one knows the difference.
Oversized bags are definitely worth every penny!
Luinae
Forever 21 has my favourite oversized bags!
chelsea
It would be helpful if you provided the link to the actual product instead of just to the stores website!! :)
Shannon
I’m in search of a new oversized bag for school/whenever. This article is right on key.
Love this blog!
xx.
la petite fashionista
a roomy bag is an absolute essential for me! i refuse to carry a backpack on campus so i use it to carry all my books & whatever else I need to get through my day :) i love the python pick!
Tati
I wasn’t into them for years, then I finally purchased my first last year. I’ve been an addict every since. When I go to normal places I take a hobo or smaller bag, but when it comes to school a huge bag is my number one choice.
Caity
Ooooh why did you show me that Marc by Marc bag? LOVES!
Evelina
I love oversized bags! I’ve been looking for a perfect one for a long time, and I think this might be a splurge item for me… in 5 years, since I’m really broke right now. I love the Marc Jacobs Bag though!
Kaci
I’m not into oversized bags. I used to carry one but I found it to be extremely inconvenient. It also looks sloppy, unprofessional, and not particularly attractive (to me, of course), causes more trouble beacuse they get unorganized so easily, have the potential to be unhealthy (I’m in the medical field and see many patients with back problems from simple things such as bags or carrying children), and they tend to harbor many unecessary items that really don’t need to be carried. I prefer clutches or medium sized bags (and I wouldn’t mind more posts on these!). It makes life easier for me to utilize these. Different things work for different people, though so I understand how many girls like them.
Sophia Hudson
I also love oversized bags.These are trendy,fashionable and quite useful. You can keep many things in this at one time and carry them. I think these are more useful for the college girls.
Kaci
Hm, I realize my comment may have sounded a bit harsh. It was not at all about your post though, because it was a really great post. I was just stating what I thought of oversized bags. I thoroughly enjoy your posts!
anon
I read this site a lot and sometimes comment, but if my comments will not be posted because my opinion does not agree with the author, then this is not the type of site I want to support. FYI, as with the above commenter I have nothing against this article. It’s well written and interesting. I was simply sharing my opinion about the particular subject in the article, which the author asked commenters to do. As I didn’t have time to go into a long comment about why I dislike them, I thought that a sarcastic comment meant to be humorous would suffice. But apparently not. Oh well. That’s one less person who you’ll have to monitor comments from in the future.
Samantha
I LOVE ovesized bags and I’ve been sporting them ever since they became more widely available. It’s so easy to just toss everything you need for the day be it textbooks, laptops or whatever else you need. I’ve used my purses as a sleepover bag or as a shopping bag when I buy little items.
I think you can go either way on the oversize bag. I splurge on classic shapes and colors from matt&nat(sample sales :) but I save on bright flashy colors from other cheapie stores.
Reneé
I LOVE LOVE and LOVE all kind of handbags ! but mostly the very big ones ! I think a black leather bag is a definetly splurge item bcuz you can use it for years! but for the more trendier bags it’s better to find more pricier ones !
GREAT article :)
S.
I’ve always been a fan of oversized bags, but after a few months of continual wear and tear (taking them to classes and pretty much everywhere, throwing them around) my favorite bags would look old and destroyed.
It was time to invest in a high quality bag that would not die out on me. I wanted something that was relatively neutral and that goes with everything, but also something that was very specifically my style and a statement. I’m also not a huge fan of oversized desinger logos that scream (LOOK AT HOW MUCH I SPENT ON THIS BAG – ex. louis vuitton or big chanel logos)
I ended up settling on this michael kors bag, the uptown astor in gun metal. The size was perfect (I’m small), the color was unique but also rock and roll and it was exactly what I wanted. I love it and it has lasted me awhile! I highly recommend michael kors bags as investment pieces.
http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod6430007&parentId=cat18702&masterId=cat9101&cmCat=cat000000cat101cat8501cat9101cat18702&index=9&tid=V1
S.
also, this bag isnt particularly “oversized” but a good size……
I agree that very oversized bags tend to look sloppy and frankly once you find a bad that is around the size of a large laptop, thats the only size you need.
sorry, alot of input!
elle
This post makes me reminisce about the TINY handbags from the 90′s….
haha :)
Leia
I use an oversized bag for uni! I definitely splurge on handbags and buy classics that will last me for ages! :)
You can see the one I’m currently using at the bottom of this post: http://hifashionsl.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-otks.html
Callie
I’m definitely a saver when it comes to oversized bags. My favorite place to get them is Target..it seems like they get cute new ones every week!
Neeti
i absolutely swear by big bags!! there are always such a pleasure to carry. they look gr8 and are fucntional.
i got a really inexpensive bag from GAP for abt 20pounds..and puma also has interesting choices sometimes in terms of big bags
Madeleine Fahlbusch
I think that oversized bags are great: they’re stylish and functional, a perfect combo!! I love ‘em, they’re the perfect bag because they hold everything while managing to still look cute.
Webmistress27
I LOVE OVER SIZED BAGS!! small bas are for small minded people and children, a womans bag MUST be a nice size (imo) the bigger the bag the sexier to me anyways.
Tomomi
OMG I LURVE Oversized bags! My fav oversized bag atm is the Logo Nylon Tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs! It fits all my text books, note books, cosmetic pouch and every thing else a girl needs! Its also great to use for sleep overs ;)
Ava
Long term use of cute oversized bags wrought havoc upon my back, neck, and shoulders. It’s amazing how much girls (such as myself) will deny the obvious to use them. My aches and pains were getting pretty bad, and I still kept my big bag. Finally when it became unbearable, I switched to small bags. And guess what? My pain went away, and I discovered I didn’t really need all the the things I used to think I needed to carry around.
They’re stylish, but I think the majority of big bag users don’t know how to moderate their bag’s weight or have a skewed perception of what is heavy, and they’re bound to run into long-term damage. Here’s hoping that bag designers make the switch to bags that distribute weight more evenly.
Rachel O.
Thanks for all the great hints! I love the Mimi Cross-Body Messenger bag, but it looks like they aren’t selling it any more. Do you know of any other bag with similar styling?
Amy
Im buying a louis vuitton bag, i think its oversize. Oversize bags are definately the best way to go
Valentina
Just got my new neverfull mm from LV and its BIG love! i think it is one of the most perfect bags for girls of my size ( i am just, hmm petite^^) and it looks so nice:) of course it is very expensive and i would never buy one myself… but i just can recommend it to anybody who is searching for a nice bag in a great size!